Method and apparatus for securing closure caps to paper receptacles



Se t. 6 1927.

p c. F. DAWSON METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURING CLOSURE QAPS TO PAPER RECEPTACLES Filed Dec.11, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v 1,641,742 Sept. 6, 1927, c- F. DAWSON METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURING CLOSURE CAPS Tb PAPER RECEPTACLES Filed D60. 11. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 %Mf I Patented Sept; 6 1927;

CECIL DAWSON, OF EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO INDIVIDUAL DRINKING CUP COMPANY INCJ, F EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURING CLOSURE CAPS T0 PAPER BECEPTAOLES.

Application filediDecember 11, 1923. Serial No. 680,035.

This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for securing closure caps'to paper receptacles and while susceptible of a wide range of usefulness in providing closed paper containers or packages for various purposes, it is especially applicable to paper cups that are used for serving ice cream and drinks for providing temporary I covers or closures for said cups when the ice 1 cream or drinks are to be carried from the soda fountain to the consumer.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple method and apparatus whereby closure caps can be quickly inserted within paper receptacles of tapering form to effect an efiicient interlocking engagement of the same therewith without the necessity of preliminary or separately preparing a groove or seat in the receptacle to receive the marginal portion of the cap, and without fracturing or damaging the receptacle so that it is possible to employ paper drinking cups or other containers in the usual form free from a groove at the upper end thereof when not requiring a cover, and to readily convert the cup into a .closed package of inexpensive construction, when desired.

In accordance with my improved method a paper cup or other container of tapering form is supported exteriorly and held confined inwardly of its larger end portion against distortion, and while So 'su ported and held, a closurecap consisting o a stiif paper disk of the proper size to correspond with the size of the larger end of the paper container is forced uniformly or evenly into the outer end of the receptacle with suflicient pressure and to 'a suflicient distance to stretch and bend outwardly the side wall of connection between the parts, thewallof the receptacle above the point of support being given a slight outward bulge, by the insertion of the cap, and a groove or seat formed at the interior of the receptacle in whichthe margiinal portion of the closure cap is firmly seate For practicing the improved method, the

invention comprehends a tubular or chambered holder or support adapted toencompass the major portion of the receptac fi b? the receptacle to effect a secure interlocking-- low the larger end portion thereof in which the closure cap is to be inserted, said tubular or chambered holder being of a size andshape corresponding to that of the major portion of the receptacle to closely fit about and support the same against distortion. The invention also contemplates in combination with the holder for the receptacle, a presser member or plunger provided with means for holding a closure cap thereon and adapted to-force the closure cap evenly into the end portion of the receptacle while the latter is supported in the holder, together with means for regulating the distance the closurecap is forced into the receptacle and the pressure exerted upon the side wall thereof.

The invention, with other objects and advantages thereof, will be understood from 7 the hereinafter contained detail description, when considered in connection with the accempanying' drawings, forming'part hereof, and illustrating apparatus for carrying out the method.

In the drawings: 1

Figure 1 is aside elevation of a paper cup seated'in the holder prior to the insertion of a closure cap therein, the holder being shown in section, and the presser member with a closure thereon being shown in side elevation above the upper end portion of the cup in centered relation therewith. Figure 2. is a similar view, without the presser vmember, after the closure cap .has

been forced into the cup into interlocking enga ement therewith.

Figure 3 is a detail inverted top plan view of the presser member or plunger. Figure 4 is a detail top plan view of a closure cap.

Figure 5 is a detail section of theplunger or presser member with a portion of the suction pipe connection connected therewith.

Figure 6 is a detail section, on an' enlarged scale, of anupper portion of thecup and closurecap' after the closure cap has been inserted within the receptacle.

Figure 7 is a detail view of the valve for the suction holding means.

Figure 8 is a horizontal section on the line 8-8 of Figure 5,

' the major portion of the receptacle below the point tq which the closure cap is t be inserted into the-larger upper end portion Referring particularly to Figure 1 of the drawings, a designates a paper receptacle of tapering form, the particular receptacle illustrated, by way of example, bein one of the well known constructions 0 'paper drinking cups commonly employed for serving drinks at soda fountains, the same being of trunco-conical shape and having a bottom 0-, a side wall a and an outwardly curled or rolled top flange a b designates a closure cap consisting of a pa er disk of the required strength and sti ness. The cap b is referably, as shown, of a diameter slightly ess' than that of the upper end of the receptacle a so that the samecan readily enter within the upper end of the receptacle.

The tubular or chambered support or holder for the receptacle, in this instance, is shown as a metal casing or shell 0 of a shape and size corresponding to that of the paper cup or other container 0 to closely surround of the receptacle, the casing or shell 0 extending over the upper part ofthe receptacle a suflicient distance to afford the necessary support for the receptacle adjacent the point of insertion of the closure cap while at the same time permitting of the necessary stretching or bending outwardly of said upper portion of said rece tacle to form a seat or roove therein for t e marginal portion of t e closure cap.

d desi nates a plunger or presser member in the orm of a lug or block having a lower trunco-conical reduced part d and an upper adjoining cylindrical enlarged part The bottom face of the lower art (1 of the plunger or presser member-is 0 substantially thesame diameter as that of the closure disk I) and isadapted to enter the receptacle. The plunger d is provided with suction means for holding a cap thereon, said means including a passage 'leading through the plunger to the bottom face thereof together ,with suction means connected with said passage. The plunger d is,

shown rovided with an interior chamber (1*, open ngs d leading therefrom to its bottom face, anda passage'd leading through the same from its upper faceto said chamber d". e designates a flexible hose connection leading from the upper end of the passage d to any suitable form of vacuum creatlng means (not shown). d designates a short tubular hand grip part having a detachable threadedconnection with a collar 0' on the nipple e which engages a threaded opening in the upper'part of the plunger (see Figure 5 of the drawings). The en'- larged u er part d of'the presser member is of a lameter greater than that of the larger end ofthe rec'e taclea, and .is adapted at its lower face .to engage the outer resser member can force the closure cap into the receptacle and the degree of pressure to which the side wall of the receptacle 1s subjected, the cap being inserted into the receptacle a predetermined distance nicely gaged in accordance with the size of the closuredisk relative to the larger end of the receptacle, and the character of material used, etc., to produce the desired interlock-'- ing of the parts without fracturing or crushing the receptacle.

In carrying out the method the receptacle a is positioned within the holder 0. A closure cap I) is supplied to the bottom face of the plunger or presser member d, and the closure'cap I) held on the plunger or presser member in properly centered relation thereto is then forced inwardly into engagement with the side wall of the'receptacle by the plunger or presser member, the latter being adapted to be operated by hand, by pressing.

or tapping thereon. After the closure cap has been forced into engagement with the side wall of the receptacle, upon withdrawal of the plunger or presser member, the hold exerted by. the suction means upon the closure capis broken, the closure cap being left seated .in place in secure interlocking relation withthe receptacle, the frictional engagement between the closure cap and the side wall of the receptacle being such as to overcome the holding force exerted by the suction means which is, as will be readily understood, relatively slight, just sufficient to hold the relatively light closure cap upon the bottom face of the plunger. If desired, a valve 16 interposed in the flexible pipe connection e, may be employed, said valve.

being adapted to cut ofi communication with the suction means and establish communication between the suction .chamber ofthe plunger and the atmosphere to relieve the suction on the cap after-the same has been forced into interlocking engagement with the receptacle.

, My improved method and apparatus, as hereinbeforeset forth, provides for quickly and easily securing closure caps to paper receptacles of tapering form. It will be noted that by providing for carrying the closure cap by the plunger, thec ap is definitely located in centered relation with the open end of the receptacle in the application of the closure cap thereto. The preliminary or separate grooving or shaping of the receptacle to provide a. bulged seat portion to receive and interlock with the marginal portion of the cap is entirely avoided, the invention making it possible to use drinking cups or containers in the usual continuous smooth form or free from a groove at'the upper mouth portion thereof,- and to'readily convert such cups intoclosed packages or containers, as desired, the packages so formed being of an inexpensive nature.

It will be understood that the invention is applicable to secure closure capsto various kinds of paper receptacles other than that of the particular form of drinking cup shown in the drawings, and that the apparatus shown may be accordingly modified and changes made therein, as will appeal to those skilled in the art and falling within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. The improved method of securing closure caps to paper receptacles of tapering form which consists in forcing aclosure cap in flat form within thelarger end portion of the tapering receptacle to stretch and bend outwardly the side wall of the receptacle to form a "seat therein and effect an interlocking engagement of the closure cap therewith while supporting the side wall of the receptacle below the point of insertion of the closure cap against distortion.

2. The improved method of securing closure caps to paper receptacles of tapering form which consists in forcing a closure cap of fiat form within the larger end portion of the tapering receptacle by pressure applied uniformly throughout the closure cap to strectch and bend outwardly the side wall of the receptacle to form a seat therein and effect an interlocking engagement of the closure cap therewith while holding confined against distortion the side wall of the receptacle below and adjacent to the point of insertion of the closure cap.

3. An apparatus for securingclosure caps to paper receptacles of tapering form, said apparatus comprising means to confine the side wall of the receptacle inwardly of the larger end thereof against lateral distortion in combination with a presser member in the form of a block adapted to be pressed by the hand to force a closure cap evenly into the larger end of the receptacle in tight fitting engagement therewith, said presser member havinga tubular handle part disposed centrally of its upper side, and said presser member having a passage extending from its upper side to the bottom face thereof, and a flexible hose connection secured to the presser member at its upper side centrally thereof to communicate with said passage, said hose connection extending through the tubular handle part and being adapted to be connected to suction creating means.

4. An apparatus for securing closure caps to paper receptacles of tapering form, said apparatus including means to confine the receptacle inwardly of the larger end thereof against lateral distortion in combination with. a presser device in the form of a block adapted to be. pressed by the hand to force a closure cap evenly into the larger end of the receptacle in tight fitting engagement therewith, said block having a centrally disposed lower portion provided with an end face of the same shape and diameter as that sure caps to paper receptacles of tapering form which consists in supporting the side wall of the receptacle below the point of insertion of the cap against distortion, and

and adapted to enter the end porwhile so supporting the receptacle forcing a closure cap of flat form within the larger end portionthereof by means of a plunger upon which the closure cap is held flat thereagainst to stretch" and bend outwardly the side wall of the receptacle to form a seat therein and effect an interlocking engagement of the closure cap therewith.

6. An apparatus for securing closurecaps to paper receptacles of tapering form, said apparatus comprising means to confine the side wall of the receptacle inwardly of the larger end thereof against lateral distortion in combination with a presser member in the form of a block adapted to be pressed by the hand to force a closure cap evenly into the larger end of the receptacle in tight fitting engagement therewith, saidpresser member having a passage extending from its upper side to the bottom face thereof, and a flexible hose connection secured to the presser member at its upper side and leading to said passage, said hose connection being adapted to be connected with suction creating means.

7. An apparatus for securing-closure caps to paper receptacles of tapering form, said apparatus including means to confine the receptacle inwardly of the larger end thereof against lateral distortion in combination with a resser device in the form of a block adapted to .be pressed by the hand to force a clousre cap evenly into the larger end of the receptacle in tight fitting engagement therewith, said block having a centrally disposed lower portion provided with an end face of the same shape and diameter as that of the closure cap to engage the face of the cap and adapted to enter the end portion of the rece tacle, and the block having an upper arm ar portion projecting a substan- 'tial distance outwardly beyond said lower I portion forming an extended bearing porpresser device having means for holding a tion for the hand of the operator for applyclosure cap on the lower face of the lower ing pressure to the block, and said annular portion thereof. p 10 portion also being adapted to engage the In testimony whereof I hereunto aifix my outer end of the receptacle and serve as a signature. Y stop to limit the distance the lower portion of theblock enters the receptacle, and said CECIL F. DAWSON; 

